THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) is inviting people living with HIV locally to join one of three support groups the charity runs in Brighton. Stigma and discrimination around HIV can make it difficult to know who to talk to and can leave people feeling isolated. The aim of the groups is to give informal support in an understanding environment to anyone who has been diagnosed as HIV positive.
 
The three groups are:

The Lounge – for gay men who have been diagnosed for at least one year (meets fortnightly)
Staying Healthy  – for gay men who have not started HIV medication (meets fortnightly)
Telling it Straight – for heterosexual men and women living with HIV in Sussex (meets monthly)
 
All three groups meet at the HIV and sexual health charity’s city centre location on weekday evenings, on either a fortnightly or monthly basis. The groups offer a confidential space where people can provide each other with support and share experiences about how they are coping with HIV and life in general. It also gives people the opportunity to find out about other support services available.
 
Mark Cull, Health Promotion Co-ordinator for THT, said:
“Our support groups provide a safe space for people to discuss how HIV affects their lives, an opportunity to talk openly and in confidence, and to support one another through any challenges that HIV may bring.

It’s really important that local support is available because when you're living with HIV your life can seem much more complex than before you had the virus. If you’d like information or support, or if you’d just like to meet other people in the same situation, please get in touch.”
 
For further information about joining any of the groups, contact Mark Cull on 01273 764223 or email: mark.cull@tht.org.uk

For more information about THT view:
www.tht.org.uk